Alumni News

The universal language of music

Students from the Shanghai Theatre Academy and Sheridan College brought down the house at Hugh’s Room in Toronto on July 28 in a concert celebrating the universal language of music theatre.

The cabaret concert was part of an international exchange that saw five students from Shanghai join five Sheridan students for the month of July to share their passion for music theatre and learn from each other and participating faculty. This unique exchange program was organized by Michael Rubinoff, Sheridan’s Associate Dean, Visual and Performing Arts, in cooperation with the College’s International Department.

In December, the exchange will continue as the students from Sheridan will visit the Shanghai Theatre Academy for three weeks of workshops.

The students have been collaborating with writers and producers to create an original musical for Sheridan’s Canadian Music Theatre Project. The new English-language musical centres on a Chinese-born performer struggling to make it big in Los Angeles. Called STAR STUCK, the production is based on a book by Marty Chan and features music and lyrics by Kevin Wong.

Collaboration is a vital part of creating new musicals. The opportunity to share the perspectives of students from countries half a globe apart further enriched the artistic experience for all involved. With future international exchanges on the horizon, Sheridan’s reputation as the home of an extraordinary education will continue to grow.